Self-spreading cotter pin



3.0.MERR10KJ SELF SPREADING COTTER PIN.

APPLICATION FILED MAY17I 1919.

mgwmw Patented Jan. 1922.

warren arenas earner mace.-

SILAS 0. MERRICK, OF NEW BREG -ETOE I, IPENNfiYLVANIA.

SELF-SPREADING CUTTER rm.

ilflidltm qb.

Application ma ma 17,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it'known that I Sims (3. MERRIGK, acitizen of the United States, and residing at New Brighton, Beaver County, State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Self-Spreading Cotter Pins, of which the following is a specification. v

The'present invention relates to fastening devices and more particularly to the type of such devices known as cotter pins.

The objects and features of novelty of the invention will be apparent from the description taken in connection with the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a sectional view through a' rod or shaft illustrating a fastening device constructed in accordance with the present invention disposed in an aperture therein;

Figure 2 is a view similar toFigure 1 illustrating the fastening device after it has been secured in position; and

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantlally on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings which illustrate the at present preferred form of the invention, it will be seen thatthe' device comprises two parallel limbs 10 and 11 joined together at one of their ends as at 12.

Preferably, the device is made from half round bar stock. A piece of the stock of the proper length is bent on itself to bring the flat surfaces of the limbs 10 and 11- so that they face each other. In using the fastening device the rounded or bent end 12 is inserted through an aperture such as 13 and after the cotter pin has been inserted the proper distance it is held from further movement by an enlarged head such as 14: at the end of one of the limbs such as 11. As shown, the enlarged head 14 is formed by bending up the end of the limb 11 into a loop or hook. This provides a shoulder 15 which bears against the edge 16 of the bar 17 bounding the aperture 13. The limb 10 projects beyond the enlarged head 14, or in other words the limb 10 is longer than the -limb 11. After the pin has been inserted in the aperture the limb 11 is driven down by pounding on its end 18 so that it assumes the position shown in Figure 2. This operation throws the opposite end portion of the cotter pin out of parallel with the parts disposed in the aperture so that the curved end 12 of the pin is enlarged and the portions at a and b are driven against the sides of the aperture so that the Specification of lettersPatent.-

.IPateimted Jan. MD, 192%. me. semi no. 297,505.

pin fills the same without any play. Furthermore, the enlargement of the end 12 holds the pin from movement in a direction to remove it from the aperture.

It ist be understood that .although a specific form of the invention has been described that it is not thuslimited but includes modifications and changes which come within the scope of the appended claims. a I

Haying thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is 1. As' an article of manufacture, a cotter pin comprising two parallel limbs joined together at one end, the opposite end of one limb having an enlarged head, and the other limb projecting beyond said head, said pin being of uniform diameter from said head to and including said joint.

2. As an article of manufacture, a cotter:-

pin comprising a bar bent on itself to provide two parallel limbs, one limb having an enlarged end and the other limb projecting beyond said end, the pin being of uniform cross sectional outline from and including the joint to the enlarged head.-

3. As an article of manufacture, a cotter pin comprising a bar of half round stock of uniform cross-section bent on itself to prosides facing each other, one limb having a shoulder adjacent its free end and the other limb projecting beyond said shoulder.

vide two parallel limbs having their flat 4. As an article of manufacture, a cotter pin comprising two parallel limbs joined to gether at one end to form the point or entermg end of the pin, the opposite end of one limb provided with a stop shoulder adapted to hold the pin from movement in one direction when inserted in a hole, and the other limb extending beyond said shoulder, said shoulder projecting transversely of the pin away. from the other limb.

5. As an article of manufacture, a cotter pin comprising two parallel limbs joined together at one of their ends, means on one of said limbs spaced from the joint to hold the pin against movement in one direction after insertion in an aperture, and the limbsat the joint end adapted to be bent out of parallel with the portions in the aperture whereby the pin is held against movement in the opposite direction.

In testimony whereof I afilx my slgnature.

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